Nowhere Kids

Album: Amaryllis (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Brent Smith sings on this track, "If they wanna take our picture tell 'em I don't give a f--k!.' This is the first instance on any of Shinedown's four albums where the vocalist has used profanity in his lyrics. "It shocked me too," admitted Shinedown drummer Barry Kerch to Bravewords.com: "We cuss like sailors out here on the road, but Brent's grandmother would slap him every time. It surprised me that he put it on the record, but it was what he was feeling at the time, what he had to get off his chest. He doesn't cuss just to cuss; he doesn't want to put it in songs just to put it in songs. That's why you haven't heard it on Shinedown records. For some reason this time he had to get it out, so he did."
  • Kerch explained the song's meaning to Alternative Addiction: "It's about modern technology and kids getting lost in it. They don't go out and play anymore, you don't see them running around parks anymore. They're just tapping on their consoles all day long. But hey we're as guilty, although we're stuck on a bus, but kids should get off and walk, get out and see something. Kids often seem lost in this fake world. People on Facebook aren't really your friends; I've got proper friends and I don't need a Facebook account."

Comments: 5

  • Evan Bucsis from Stamford High SchoolLove this song I wasn't expecting the F word in this song. Love the rest of the song
  • Richard from New JerseyDidn’t he use profanity on “Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide” off the 2008 record The Sound of Madness?
    “She’s a looker just like Anna nicole
    Oh no, f--k the silver let’s go straight for the gold”
    He also curses of “Sound of madness” and “The Energy”. So this isn’t the first time he curses
  • Logan from Sk Canada Hell yes this is so dam true. Kids ain't do s--t anymore. They can't get off there dam video games for a second.
  • Zero from The Abyss, NjUhh, sorry, that last post made me sound like an @$$. But seriously, every word of this song is true. I'm actually guilty of it too. As a kid in the 90's I would never go outside I would just play video games all day. We even had a nice pool in our backyard and I would never go in. Once I get hooked on something, I can't stop (good thing I never took up drugs, eh?). So I guess this has been going on with kids longer than most seem to think. Although specifically they're talking about facebook and texting and the like. Anyway I'll shut the hell up now and let someone else talk. PEACE!
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjHey, I'm on a computer right now! this song is about me! Actually, I don't spend most of my day on a computer, It's just a rainy night and and I don't feel like playing guitar cuz I played all day already, but someone was going to point out the irony sooner or later....
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.